Parents should always be aware of the problems of their own children, are obliged to actively monitor their life, to know what desires they have, what they are striving for. Parents are also obliged to catch the changes that occur in children, to be able to understand the characteristics of their behavior and reactions. This is necessary in order to timely identify the first signs of drug addiction. For clarity and convenience, they are divided into two groups: external manifestations and behavior changes.
External signs
- First of all, the addict changes complexion (pallor), and the skin becomes painfully oily ("greasy coating") or dry.
- When inhaled, irritation appears in the corners of the mouth or around the lips. Redness and swelling of the face, as well as difficulty breathing through the nose, are possible. Sometimes there is a revival of facial expressions, or, conversely, the face becomes puffy, hypomimic and masky.
- There are other external signs of drug addiction. From the eyes, too, much can be determined. It can be dark circles, redness, as well as too dilated or narrowed pupils.
- Teeth turn yellow, covered with indelible coating. The tongue becomes thick and loses its natural color. Deep cracks appear on it.
- The appearance of unusual odors from clothes and from the mouth. For example, the smell of hemp is radically different from the smell of tobacco smoke. Hemp has the smell of a damp basement, musty, and sweet straw.
- There is a runny nose and fever. The state of intoxication is clearly visible, although the smell of alcohol is absent. The gait becomes not even, but staggering.
- The most obvious indicator that overshadows all the above signs of drug addiction is the presence of injection marks on the body (hands, armpits, hips, inguinal region and others) and the appearance of objects for consumption (ampoules, syringes, hookahs, various tubes). This also includes objects with which the veins are squeezed (tape, tourniquet, cord, etc.).
Behavior change
Signs of drug addiction in emotional terms: lack of initiative, indifference, indifference, loss of enthusiasm and interest in learning and one's past hobbies, privacy, secrecy, absenteeism at school. Contact with parents is lost, and alienation from friends and the traditional collective is noted. Falsehood is growing. It is likely to leave home. It happens that a teenager shudders at a call or sits for a long time in a dreamy pose. The ability to logical thinking is lost. There are often memory lapses. What other signs of drug addiction do teenagers have? First of all, the changes concern the character: they become impatient and unstable. There are causeless flashes of irritability, mood changes dramatically. Inhibition can quickly become energetic, and excitement can become passive. Changing handwriting, manners, circadian rhythm (sleepiness during the day and insomnia at night). There may be addiction to any particular food. For example, opium addicts at certain times eat exceptionally sweet. Eating other foods is fraught with nausea for them. As soon as you notice the first signs of drug addiction in your child, consult a specialist immediately. After all, no one will help him except you!